New Audio Story: "The Clay Conjurer"
Felipe Ortega was equally known for his expertise with clay and his controversial opinions on culture. Now with a new audio version narrated by actor Jill Scott Momaday of the Kiowa Tribe.
Dear Friends,
Felipe Ortega was well-known for his expertise with a form of pottery that has been practiced for at least 2,000 years in the American Southwest. After traveling the world to understand the history and nature of micaceous clay pottery, Ortega, whose own mixed heritage included Jicarilla Apache, taught his methods to others of all backgrounds—a decision that stirred up some controversy.
When we first published this story back in 2015, we were not fully aware of just how controversial Ortega’s decision was—or why. But when we reviewed it for inclusion in this issue on Native American craft, it was clear that the original article needed to be revisited. Thanks to our hardworking team, including our guest editor for this issue, RoseMary Diaz (Santa Clara Pueblo), and generous consult from Dr. Emily Haozous (Chiricahua Fort Sill Apache) at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, we now have a fuller, more complex story.
And so, this week we are proud to present a new audio version of “The Clay Conjurer,” written by Deborah Busemeyer and narrated by Jill Scott Momaday (Kiowa), an accomplished actor and filmmaker. As with all of our podcasts, you can download or listen to it on our site, or on popular streaming channels like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also find the updated version of the story, along with a couple of fascinating sidebars on Ortega’s life and legacy, and Kitty Leaken’s wonderful photographs, on our site. However you choose to experience this story, I hope you’ll enjoy it.
We’ll continue to add to our Fall issue on “Native American Craft: The Southwest" through mid-November. Each Friday, we’ll release a feature story, short article, mini-documentary, photo essay, or podcast. While most offerings will be related to some aspect of our theme, we also present a few stories on other topics each quarter, so that there's always something for everyone.
In the meantime, I hope you'll always find something intriguing to read, watch, or listen to within our pages—currently free of charge, and free of ads. We welcome your thoughts via email, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Thank you for reading and sharing our stories, for donating to our cause when you can, and for being such a loyal part of the Craftsmanship community.
Sincerely,
Todd Oppenheimer
Editor & Publisher, Craftsmanship Quarterly
Native American Craft: The Southwest
In our first issue on Native American craft, which we hope will be joined by others in the coming years, we look at the unusually rich and varied craft traditions of some of the Southwest’s Indian tribes. These communities rarely let outsiders see much of their cultural practices, but thanks to the tireless work of a few New Mexico writers and others, who have spent years developing relationships with members of the region’s tribes, we can offer you a glimpse into the work of some remarkable Indigenous artists and artisans.